England has worst crime rate in world

Telegraph, U.K. ^ | 01/12/2002 | David Bamber

[ElkGroveDan]

England and Wales have the highest crime rate among the world's leading economies, according to a new report by the United Nations.

The survey, which is likely to prove embarrassing to David Blunkett, the Home Secretary. shows that people are more likely to be mugged, burgled, robbed or assaulted here than in America, Germany, Russia, South Africa or any other of the world's 20 largest nations. Only the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Finland have higher crime rates than England and Wales.

According to the comparison of international crime statistics produced by the UN's Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention, England and Wales had 9,766 crimes for every 100,000 people in the year 2000. America had 8,517, South Africa 7,997, Germany 7,621 and Russia 2,022.

During the period 1998-2000, Britain went from fifth to fourth worst in the world league table. An analysis of total recorded crime figures before 1998 also suggests that England and Wales have moved sharply up the league table since Labour came to power in 1997. Crimes fell from 5.5 million in 1993 to 4.5 million in 1997. By 1999, total crimes had risen again to 5.3 million.

Last night Oliver Letwin, the shadow home secretary, said: "This does rather blow a hole in David Blunkett's claim that New Labour has crime under control. It is a damning picture."

The UN reports also shows that England and Wales are the second-worst places in the world for assaults, with 851 people assaulted per 100,000, and seventh for burglaries and car theft, with 1,579 burglaries per 100,000 population.

Criminologists believe that a note of caution needs to be introduced into analysis of the data, because of the different ways in which UN member countries record crimes.

A Home Office spokesman said that officials had not yet seen the report and so could not comment.

[ElkGroveDan]

Must be a mistake in reporting. Guns are totally banned in England, so we know that they've done away with crime.

[Pearls Before Swine]

That might not be the only mistake. New Zeland and Finland are, according to this article, supposed to be even worse. That doesn't sound right to me.

[NEWwoman]

Gun issue aside, aren't Britians in great peril from prosecution of the government if they attempt to defend themselves from criminals, period?

Criminals prey on the weak and helpless and the British government is a genious in ensuring everyone is weak and helpless.

[yankeedame]

Higher than in South Africa? Cheeze louise...!

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

This is not surprising if you have read Anthony Dalrymple's extremely depressing book, "LIFE AT THE BOTTOM".It is directed at the breakdown of civilization in the UK due to the welfare state, but has a chapter on crime in New Zealand that is a real eye-opener.

I heartily recommend reading this book before you set up a trip to the UK or New Zealand.

[proxy_user]

I have read this book. However, I still cannot believe there is five times more crime in England than in Russia. These official statistics must be BS.

[xlib]

Not only is crime up in England, the criminals are bolder. 53% of burgaries in England occur while the vicim is at home. By contrast, only 13% of US burglars strike while the victim is at home. They can argue that other factors affect the overall crime rate, but it's clear that the likelihood of armed resistance is the reason for the relative timidity of American burglars.

[samtheman]

All of Western Europe is playing the "lie about crime statistics" game. If the truth were fairly published, England wouldn't be the worst, just as bad as all the rest. In France, police ignore criminals to keep the arrest rates down.

[beaversmom]

Britain will just have to establish some more gun laws--it's obvious they just don't have enough.

[BenLurkin]

[aristeides]

Times sure have changed. When I studied in England 1972-4, it seemed extremely safe compared to the States.

[beaversmom]

I've heard Britain does some tinkering with the crime statistics.

[aristeides]

I think police departments in this country played the same statistical games under Clinton.

[SamAdams76]

Pick up practically any Charles Dickens novel (i.e. Oliver Twist) and you will see that grinding poverty and high crime rates are nothing new to England. I think that the lack of guns definitely emboldens criminals wherever stringent gun control laws are in place, but much of urban England has been a cesspool for centuries.

[beaversmom]

I don't know much about New Zealand, but I'm surprised that they have so much crime. I pictured it as just a really green country with lots of sheep--shows what I know.

[Neil E. Wright]

BANG and BUMP!

±
Toward FREEDOM

[beaversmom]

I think you are right. I did a little reading on the internet about Jack the Ripper. The area in which he committed his dirty deeds was terribly impoverished--morally and financially.

[pabianice]

Another 'gun control' success story...

[general_re]

Only the Dominican Republic, New Zealand and Finland have higher crime rates than England and Wales.

Oops. Well, when Clark lets NZ society get a bit too 'Clockwork Orange'-ish, the backlash will be inevitable, I suppose... ;)

[Doctor Raoul]

AIN'T GUN CONTROL WONDERFUL?